Lisandro Martinez, the center back for Manchester United, publicly criticized the club's board on Wednesday, amid a troubling season for the team. United is experiencing its worst domestic start in four decades, following a 2-0 loss to Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The team has not won in its last five games, putting additional pressure on head coach Michael Carrick.
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Martinez expressed frustration about the current situation, stating, "Really poor, really poor. I have to control myself a lot... but sometimes it is a reflection or the mirror of our club at the moment, you know." He noted the disparity between their previous season's success and the expectations for improvement this year. "We had a fantastic season last season and now we expect more from the top. More players to compete because many, many teams bring many players as well," he said.
When asked about the current squad's quality for the Champions League, Martinez replied, "I expect more quality, from everyone." He also emphasized the need for more investment from the club's technical director, Jason Wilcox, ahead of the summer transfer window. He highlighted that while the players must step up, building a strong squad is essential for success.
Despite signing three midfielders—Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Baleba—for a combined cost of approximately $294 million AUD, the club's performance has not improved. Only goalkeeper Karl Darlow was added, joining on a free transfer, while several high-profile players like Rasmus Hojlund and Casemiro were let go.
In response to whether Carrick was at fault for the team's poor performances, Martinez stated, "I don’t think so – he does his best but every season is different." He urged consideration of broader issues beyond the coaching staff and players.
Carrick acknowledged Martinez's comments but indicated that he had not viewed the interview yet. He remarked, "I think it’s a little bit on the emotions of the game as well." The situation drew mixed reactions from various commentators. Former player Wayne Rooney remarked that Martinez may have "gone too far" with his comments, suggesting it is better to keep such discussions internal.
Jamie Carragher criticized Martinez's remarks, arguing they could create further discord within the club. He pointed out that United's financial struggles were a result of failing to qualify for the Champions League consistently, which affects their transfer budget. "You can’t just keep going with it... they have been awful, they were awful again tonight," he stated.
Throughout the football world, opinions are divided on the implications of Martinez's outburst, with calls for individual accountability from players as the team navigates a challenging season.